4 stars. Five years or so ago, I would have loved this book. Five years or so ago, I think I would have needed this book. My Mechanical Romance is a really sweet robotics-centered YA contemporary romance that I don't think I fit the target audience for anymore, but, again, five years or so ago, I most certainly did.

The thing is, reading it made me feel like I briefly was five years younger again, and I was reading the book through the eyes of my seventeen-year-old self, not my twenty-two-year-old one. And that seventeen-year-old self saw herself so clearly in Bel in a way that she never did with any of the other protagonists in any other YA contemporary romance she'd read (which was, looking back, one of the reasons I started losing interest in that genre by that age). By that, I don't just mean I related to the fact that Bel is an Asian girl in STEM, but also the fact that Bel is an Asian girl in STEM who only realized her passion "too late" and had to fight both her own insecurities and the doubts of others as she raced to "catch up" with everyone else. The lessons and messaging in My Mechanical Romance were things that I've already learned for myself by now, but they were things that I sorely needed to hear five years ago. It honestly hit me a lot harder than I thought it would, and for that, I am genuinely grateful. I know I was not the first and I will certainly not be the last seventeen-year-old girl who needed to see herself in Bel. And besides myself, there are certainly others who need to see themselves in Teo, and Neelam, and so on. Regardless of anything else, My Mechanical Romance offers some of the best representation I've ever read of how it truly feels to be a young person of color, especially a woman of color, in a STEM field.

On a lighter note, although Bel and Teo's romance leans pretty heavily on the trope of the arrogant golden boy and the quirky girl who doesn't care, we get enough development from each of them that they are not solely defined by these tropes. They feel real, and unique, if not a little bit exaggerated at some points (an artifact, I think, of both the author and the reader -- me -- no longer being teenagers). Although the plot was fairly predictable, it unfolded well and at a realistic pace, and the romance was really cute. In the end, I really enjoyed My Mechanical Romance, both for my own sake and for the sake of my seventeen-year-old self.

This was a fun read! I was drawn to this book by the cover and the title. It sounded like a fascinating book and I was really excited to read it and see how it would turn out. My Mechanical Romance is written by Alexene Farol Follmuth.
Bel was a relatable character. She was a senior in high school and yet she didn't know what she wanted to do or what school she wanted to attend. She was just trying her best to get through high school, but then she gets put on the robotics team and she starts to see things differently. However things in the robotic team are more difficult than it seems. The only other girl hates her and the boys don’t listen to her. To make matters worse she has to deal with Teo, a guy who has ambition, drive, and single-minded focus. Will Bel be able to survive the robotics team?
It was fun to read about Bel as she started to find her place. I thought that she was a pretty cool character, she was just so talented with building and creating things. However Bel also had no drive and she needed to learn that things in life don’t come easy. Bel had to figure out what it meant to reach for her dreams and strive for it.
Teo was also interesting. He was so focused on school and doing well, but at times he got a bit sexist. I have to admit, I did not like Teo at first but he grew on me. He didn’t see Bel or listen to her and that was so frustrating. But I did like his growth in the book as he learned to step back and listen to his teammates.
Teo and Bel were a cute couple, they were very different and so they balanced each other out. It was interesting to read about the robotics part, I know nothing about robotics so if what Follmuth wrote was true, it is very cool. I also liked how Bel was half Filipino, I am half Filipino and I am always looking for books that represent Asians. I was very happy to see Bel and Neelam, the other girls standing up for girls in STEM. I was disappointed in some of the boys and even male teachers who did not think that Bel and Neelam were good enough. But unfortunately that is how things are. However I did like how by the end of the book people began to see past gender.
Overall My Mechanical Romance was a fun book. The characters were engaging and the storyline was cool. There were a couple of innuendos and a few curse words but otherwise it was clean. I would recommend it to those 15 and up. My Mechanical Romance is a sweet YA novel.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

This was such a cute read, although I was hoping for some more "enemies to lovers", I felt like they got to the lovers state a bit too fast, but I did enjoy the dynamic between Teo and Bel.

This was so cute! I don't know how else to react but to squeal in delight. Honestly, I read this book like my tail was on fire, and it's been a long time since that's happened. I loved the characters, I loved the trope, I loved the writing, I loved all the plot points and development. I love that we got to witness more than just our leads, that the side characters all had so much life and depth. I loved that we got to see them develop as well.

Honestly, I am obsessed with Follmuth's writing, and although I know there were times as I read that I thought things could have been different, in the end it all worked together so perfectly. YA can be a bit of tricky balance sometimes, but Follmuth far exceeded my expectations. I'm so exited to see more from her.

The publisher kindly provided ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

thank you so much netgalley and holiday house for providing me with an arc! 4.5 stars! i love love love strong women in stem!! seeing bel and neelam flourishing made me so happy, shoutout to ms. voss who is the best! i loved her constant support of bel even when she didn’t have it in other areas like from mac. i also really loved the romance between bel and teo i felt the chemistry was so strong and the relationship was so real it was more than a fluffy high school romance and i really loved that! also the whole friend group built was like a beautiful puzzle i loved seeing them all grow on their own and learn more about them! seeing both bel and teo heal from their own family issues was really great, i love how they grew together as a couple! the epilogue had my heart and i just overall really really loved this book!

Women in STEM is such an important topic and I’m so glad this topic has been addressed within this book. The technical information and empowerment that was shared in this book is so inspiring.
Personally, I didn’t enjoy the romance in this book as much as I had hoped, but the topic of women in STEM kept me hooked. I wanted to see a Bel and Neelam truly find their place on the team and I’m so glad they did. My Mechanical Romance is a book of today that is so much more than a simple romance.
3.5 stars - I recommend this book but it is definitely suited to certain tastes (if you love STEM, women in STEM, READ THIS!!)

Bel, a senior with no idea what her plans for the future should be, is forced to join the Robotics club or face getting a C in class. (The horror) What will happen when she teams up with the schools golden boy/resident hot nerd, Teo?

Read this now !! This is so funny and charming. Recommending this to anyone I see!

What delightful, nerd/geek, empowering, and sweet this book was! I am in awe of this cute yet strong made narrative. A girl with powerful mind for engeneering without even notice how Smart She was until She finds herself into a Robotic's club fro school, and sees her life changing completely. Ireally love the premise I am beyond happy to confirm that it was worth every page read!

I also enjoyed a lot the plurality of characters, with our protagonist being part of a Filipino family and Teo, her love insterest being from a latino family mixed with jewish ascendency. The author has nailed it with the complexity of relantionships at a younger age, and the great dilemma of deciding their future in such moment of incertainty of life as teenager, specially when it comes from parents pressures and divorced parents as well.

And most important of all, the empowering of Women and the journey for Independence and RESPECT has won my total attention and support. We need more stories like that, proving to the young generation that girls can do Whatever they want, and that We also got the power to make a change being our best every day and being succeded at achieving Our goals!

Excelent book,Can't wait to read more young adult titles like this one!

👩🏽‍🤝‍👨🏾🤖 BOOK REVIEW* 👩🏽‍🤝‍👨🏾🤖

3.5 for this cute and funny romance! While this was not my favorite book I've ever read, and this isn't the highest rating I've ever given, I still genuinely think this is a good book that has alot to offer its readers. I'm honestly not entirely why I don't want to rate this book higher, so please don't let 3.5 scare you away from this book. I truly think it just boiled down to personal preference, and this one was just a little bit of a miss for me. However, there are lots of great things about this book, which I'll list below!👇🏼🤖💕

1. This book is HILARIOUS. I laughed out loud every couple pages and it was so nice to read a book that I genuinely thought was funny. Seriously. Topnotch banter and dialouge throughout. Also snarky inner commentary.
2. Over the course of the book, Bel became really good buddies with Teo's best friend, Dash, which I thought was such a nice touch. I cannot remember the last YA romance I read that showed the female mc becoming pals with the male mc's friend(s), and it added such a fun and refreshing element to the depth of the story.
3. I appreciated the character development that came from Teo and Bel over the course of the book, and I thought their inner conflicts and insecurities were handled well and flushed out in a way that felt complete and sincere.
4. The romance, once it got going, was so witty and tender and cute and had me squealing as I read. On that note, the main conflict in their relationship (which I was anticipating and dreading) was actually believable and felt genuine to their characters and the way they'd been interacting with each other up until that point. It didn't feel forced, unrealistic, or out of character for either of them. Instead, it felt like a genuine conversation that needed to be had based on actual difficulties and flaws within their relationship. It didn't feel over-the-top or anything like that. Honestly, it was probably one of the better-done conflicts that I've read or seen.
5. I also appreciated the whole plot line revolving around Bel and the pressure she felt to know what she wanted to do after high school. I feel like it's something that needs to be shown and acknowledged more than it is in books and cinema. I appreciated that she DID find what she wanted to do, and where she wanted to go. It just took a little longer. That time was spent maturing and learning and exploring and experiencing and it was just such a well-done character arc.

All in all, this is a very solid book, and I think there's even more to love about this book that I might have missed altogether! If you're looking for a fierce, funny, feminist romance about hot nerds, this is one to keep an eye out for!

*thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy I'm exchange for an honest review.
"My Mechanical Romance" is available 5•31•22.

Thank you Netgalley for a digital ARC!
4.5
This was a cute and short romance book that I loved! I love the characters and also I loved that they talked about the sexism and misogyny for women in STEM.

I would definitely recommend it to everyone!

This was a good read, unfortunately I just don't think it was meant for me.
I felt like I didn't relate enough to the story/characters and ultimately felt myself not absorbing anything.

The main characters Bel and Teo are on the same robotics team in high school. Bel is amazing at design and has a knack for knowing whether or not something will work. Teo is better at the engineering side. Follmuth does a great job with women in STEM representation but also in writing a story about finding your place and being secure in your choices. Bel got onto the robotics team mostly by luck without having the foundation as a teammate points out to her as she wrestles with not getting into the college she applied to. From there, Bel strives to build that foundation and not let others help her achieve what she hasn't earned. In the end, she shows that she's proud of herself and her accomplishments. This story was more than just a romance and I feel it was really well done.

A huge thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book!!!

I loved this book. The whole academic rivals to lovers, the relationships between different characters(there were so many personalities and relations executed very well- you would assume something but then find out their reasoning and they would instantly become your favorite character!)

The main relationship Bel & Teo was honestly so cute and healthy, they're my favorite book couple now. With their banter and understanding of eachother. Beautiful.

I really liked the "finding yourself" trope cause the author wrote it really well.

If you want to read a fluffy but also more directional book about romance AND?!!? science, academic achievements, the pressure of parents... I- READ IT. comes out on May 28.

thank you netgalley for providing me with an arc!

This was such a cute and fun read! Both Bel and Teo stand really well on their own as individual characters, while also working perfectly together as a couple.

Their struggles as individuals and development was really fun to read. I especially liked to read about Bel’s struggles, about not knowing exactly what she wants for collage, and is something i relate with. The development in their relationship was also very enjoyable.

The side characters in this, were also something i really enjoyed.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!

Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Woman in STEM
- Lovers in STEM

First of all, as a Filipino, I was so excited when I heard that the protagonist is half-Filipino. It is not common that we get representation in books so I was really looking forward to reading this book, and boy oh boy did I enjoy it.

I read this for the enemies-to-forced colleague-to-lovers but I stayed for the woman in STEM rep. This book is honestly so empowering. It talks about sexism and systemic misogyny in STEM. Bel's journey on self-discovery and "owning her own space" was simply so fun to read. As a Filipino in the STEM field, I was really able to connect with her. Apart from Bel, Teo's character was also endearing. I mean, yes, I initially thought that his character was annoying and entitled but his character development was good. He was able to recognize his flaws in the end (although I am still a little bit bummed with the whole Neelam situation thing in the Nationals). Moreover, can I just stress how much I love the friendship of Jamie, Lo, and Bel? Their bond was just amazing. It was such a healthy relationship. Additionally, I also LOVED the chapters about the robot competition. Olivie Blake/Alexene Farol Follmuth has a way with words that made me feel as if I were part of the crowd of the competition. Reading the descriptions about robot driving was exhilarating. Apart from the robot competitions, I also loved how the author showcased their senior year of high school. It made me think of my own experience. Bel feeling lost and confused about what to do with her future after high school is honestly such a relatable experience. It happens to more people than what is usually portrayed in high school movies/books. This book perfectly showcased how stressful it is to choose a university and a course when you feel like everyone around you has their life together already. The quote: "It's not fair that I'm supposed to know everything at eighteen" was able to perfectly capture the raw feeling of being lost and afraid of what comes next after high school. That part of the plot was such a great addition. As for Teo's dad, I initially thought that the ending felt lacking for not discussing or diving more into the issues he'd caused with his son. However, after much thought, I realized that what the book did was realistic. Sometimes confrontations don't get to happen, and that's okay. Thus, I conclude that I enjoyed reading this book.

My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth

Personal Rating: ★★★★/5 Stars

Book Statistics:
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Year of Publication: 2022
Pages: 272

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of 'My Mechanical Romance' in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a wonderful young adult romance! In 'My Mechanical Romance', many of my favorite book tropes were included that made me more keen to read it but also the fact that this is a women in STEM book that we need more of.

Bel, the protagonist of 'My Mechanical Romance', has to be one of my favorite protagonists with her internal struggles that I can relate to but also her relationship with her friends and family. I wish I had a teacher like Mrs. Voss!

When it comes to the romance of this book I was happy with Teo and his characterization. He was always supporting Bel, constantly trying to understand what she was going through and support with all he had. Teo and Bel as a couple were also adorable together and their banter was sweet.

The problems they faced throughout the novel were concluded wonderfully and I am glad they made their relationship work out.

I highly recommend 'My Mechanical Romance' for anyone who wishes to read a quick and fun romance book about a wonderful set of characters and equally badass bots.

Lastly and please do remember that, nerds are hot!

I’m usually not that into high school contemporary anymore because I find it hard to connect with characters almost ten years younger than me, but not in this book!
I loved the banter. Scratch that; I lived for the banter! These two, you guys!

We need way more books about women in STEM, because we need more women in STEM, period.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher and thank you to Alexene Faroul Follmuth. I loved it.

IT'S SOOO GOOD AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

Meet Isabel "Bel" Maier:
The new transfer kid, has zesty fashion sense (glittery eye shadows, dangling earrings, sparkly Docmart) but has a big potential in engineering (which is a "boy's stuff"), A SWIFTIE, either in super aggressive of super passive mode.

Meet Mateo "Teo" Luna jr:
The golden child, teacher's favorite, rich asf, BIG NERD, the leader, the ever reliable, very busy, too serious person.

Convincing YOU to add My Mechanical Romance to your TBR:
- half filipino female MC, half mexican male MC (diverse! The author is half filipino too)
- grumpy FMC x grumpy MMC
- light academia
- hate to tolerate to love each other trope
- CUTE FLUFF ❤❤❤
- dont have vulgar scene, minor friendly
- VERY AMUSING BANTER
- dual POV
- robotic and mechanical stuffs
- subtle feminism
- hardworking girls in male-dominated fields
- did i mention banter? Yes deserved to be mentioned twice because I love it so much
- the best YA romance contemporary I've ever read
- went straight to my "Best Reads of 2022" list!!

That's it. I coudn't put this review into coherent paraghraps because this book is just perfect and I'm obsessed! I NEED THE PHYSICAL COPY AFTER IT COMES OUT BECAUSE I WANT TO HUG THIS BOOK SOO BAD

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange of a honest review!

I am NOT a romcom contemporary girl. Definitely not my favorite. And yet... If all books were like this one, I would absolutely DEVOUR the genre. 5/5 stars, no doubt.

Let's start with the writing. Alexene has such a way with words; i saw it in The Atlas Six, her adult fantasy book, and now here, too. If I could highlight the whole book, I would have. I love how the main characters have very different personalities and how it echoes in their voice – the first person narrative was a great choice here.

Bel is my queen; I love her sarcastic remarks and her weird phrasings just as much as Teo does. I am just.. so proud of her?? And Teo!!!! In the beginning, I had the feeling he would be insufferable, you know, like rich smart boys in high school are, but the insight on his thoughts and how he sees the world really helped his case here. And damn, what a development.

I also loved the side characters. Each of them added something special to the narrative, and it's ridiculous how it only took me 272 pages to care SO MUCH about these kids and feel so proud whenever they accomplished something. A big shout-out to Neelam, another girl in the robotics team, and Luke, Bel's older brother; they are absolutely amazing.

This book made go back in time to when I was the one making the big choice of "what do you wanna do in the future?". In fact, so many of my personal challenges since my teenage years were exposed here, thrown in my face: how Bel is affected by her home situation, her relationship with her brothers, her struggle to find out what she wants to do when she's so damn young and should still be learning, how she has to try twice harder than the boys to be heard and seen in STEM; how Teo feels like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders, how he thinks people will only love him as long as he can be of service to them, how he must be the top on everything like that will prove his worth... Like, dude. I was emotional during the whole damn book. The author took all of these themes and wrote them in a cute and light-hearted way, while still making me teary.

As for the romance... Perfection. Chef's kiss. Their big banter and rivalry didn't last long, but it was wonderful anyway. They are so damn cute, and I love how they push each other forward. The ending got me wishing a whole new book following them.

So, yeah! I strongly recommend this one. It's already on my top 2022 reads for sure!

What happens when you give someone who doesn't like contemporary books a contemporary written by Olivie Blake/Alexene Farol Follmuth? You get someone who suddenly has a new genre they love. I truly cannot say how much I loved this book. The romance was absolutely adorable. Teo and Bel are literally perfect for each other. They pushed each other to grow through the book, and it was truly beautiful to see; Teo helped Bel realize her genius, while she helped him realize his privilege. Their awkwardness, their cuteness, the way their genuine with one another, all of it- I was grinning like idiot because I loved them too much. Gosh, I need a whole series about them. Ok now to the stuff that brought me to tears. Mateo Luna- I haven't felt that represented in a character for a very long time. The overachieving, Latinx student who takes on everyone's problems because that's the only way he thinks people will love him? CALL ME OUT Olivie! Olivie wrote this part of so many students so beautifully and it brought me to tears. The discussions of sexism in the STEM fields? Olivie wove it in so perfectly. Neelam is literally one of the best characters in this book. The way Olivie showed the sexism from robotic club, to competition, to college acceptances, to teachers. She's truly a genius. I wish this book could be mandatory reading for all STEM clubs. Just so perfect. The discussions on making students at 18 figure out their entire damn lives? SO NEEDED. Honestly, this book belongs in every high school curriculum. Alexene is such a gifted writer and I've found a new favorite author. Basically, this is going to be one of my favorite reads of this year and is going to launch me trying a new genre. If you're wondering whether you should read this bool, don't even hesitate; the answer is YES!